Description

This Cranberry Balsamic Roast Beef is a flavorful and tender slow-cooked beef dish perfect for holiday meals or cozy family dinners. The combination of tangy cranberry sauce and rich balsamic vinegar creates a savory-sweet glaze that enhances the chuck roast’s natural flavors. Cooked low and slow in a slow cooker, the beef becomes incredibly tender and easy to shred, making it ideal to serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or with crusty bread.

Ingredients

Scale

Beef and Seasonings

3 to 4 pounds beef chuck roast
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

Sauce

1 (14-ounce) can whole berry cranberry sauce
½ cup balsamic vinegar
¼ cup beef broth
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon dried thyme

Additional

1 onion, sliced

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Instructions

Season and Sear the Beef: Season the beef roast evenly on all sides with salt and black pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the roast for 2 to 3 minutes per side until it develops a nice brown crust.
Prepare the Slow Cooker: Transfer the seared roast to the slow cooker. Place the sliced onion evenly over the top of the roast.
Make the Cranberry Balsamic Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the cranberry sauce, balsamic vinegar, beef broth, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, dried rosemary, and dried thyme until well combined.
Combine and Cook: Pour the cranberry balsamic mixture over the onions and roast in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 9 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours, until the beef is tender and easily shredded with a fork.
Shred and Finish: Carefully remove the roast from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded beef to the slow cooker, stir it into the sauce, and cook on low for an additional 15 minutes to allow the meat to absorb the flavors.
Serve: Serve the cranberry balsamic roast beef hot over mashed potatoes, rice, or with a side of crusty bread for a hearty meal.

Notes

Leftovers make excellent sandwiches or tacos.
You can prepare this dish in a Dutch oven by cooking at 325°F for 3 to 4 hours, adjusting the time until the beef is tender.
Adjust sweetness by varying the amount of cranberry sauce used according to taste preferences.
Make sure to sear the beef well to develop richer flavors.
Use fresh herbs if available for an enhanced aromatic experience.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 390
Sugar: 14 g
Sodium: 520 mg
Fat: 20 g
Saturated Fat: 8 g
Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 16 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 38 g
Cholesterol: 110 mg